Between northern communities and endless possibilities, there’s a bridge.

Using Cisco two-way video conferencing technology, students are given digital access to mentors, teachers, and other classrooms. Whether it’s virtual field trips or sessions with experts, Connected North students are transported from the classroom to a world of possibilities.

Cisco is the proud founder of Connected North, a ground breaking program that delivers virtual education and mental wellness programming to remote, underserved communities through Cisco collaboration technology.

Today, Connected North is led and managed by charity partner TakingITGlobal and supported by an ecosystem of partners.

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Connected North is not just about providing technology to connect schools. It’s about connecting in a way that inspires meaningful and sustainable change, empowering youth on their learning journeys and creating new relationships for the next generation of Canadians.

The value of
Connected North

According to Statistics Canada, Indigenous youth graduate high school at approximately half the rate of their non-Indigenous peers (First Nations 57%, and Inuit 40%).

81% of students in Nunavut said they felt they learned more in the virtual sessions than they did through traditional classroom learning.*

81%

81% of students in Nunavut said they felt they learned more in the virtual sessions than they did through traditional classroom learning.*

86% of First Nations students in pilot school actively participated during Connected North virtual sessions **

86%

86% of First Nations students in pilot school actively participated during Connected North virtual sessions **

Over 1000 virtual sessions have taken place in Connected North schools since September 2013

1000

Over 700 virtual sessions have taken place in Connected North schools since September 2013

Connecting students with First Nations, Métis, Inuit and non-Indigenous role models to inspire hope and future pathways.

Mental Wellness Programming

Focusing on the delivery of preventative mental health and wellness programming.

“I now imagine all the possibilities for our students to share their local Ojibwe language and culture; to learn with the world, instead of just learning about it; and to create students that are aware of, and comfortable with, interaction with peers across the province, the country, and the world.”

- Barbe Dennis, Principal, Mine Centre School

Waukomaun Pawis

"Our students need to see that there are Indigenous people who are doing very well for themselves in their chosen field of study or their career. In some of our communities, we don’t see that on a regular basis."

Willa Black

Chef Wolfman

"I thought, ‘there’s a great opportunity. I’ll cook. They’ll cook.’ We communicate. I think it’s really valuable that students are able to talk to me. Ask questions. Answer questions. It works both ways."